Detroit Mother Of Two Shot & Killed While Picking Up Son From Basketball Practice

Garner's family said she placed her 11-year-old son in the basketball program to keep him off the streets.

ADetroit woman became the victim of a fatal carjacking when she was shot and killed on her way to pick up her son from basketball practice.

Erica Garner, 42, was leaving her job at Michigan Light Guard Armory Wednesday eveningwhen the attempted carjacking occurred. Garner’s family said she placed her 11-year-old son in the basketball program to keep him off the streets. Sadly, it was the mother who became a victim of street violence.

Police say a man attempted to enter Garner’s car outside of her job. When she drove off, the man opened fire. She was able to drive to the bus stop pick-up area, where she alerted other parents that she needed help.

“She couldn’t speak. Blood was coming out of her ears…she was spitting up blood,” the unidentified parent told CNN affiliate WXYZ. “What could you say to an 11-year-old and a 15-year-old, who lost their parent? What can you say — because you can’t bring her back,” the children’s aunt said.

Garner died a short while after she arrived at a local hospital.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig informed reporters that 17-year-old Ralph Anthony Marshall was arrested in connection with the shooting. He was charged with felony murder, felony possession of a firearm, and attempted carjacking. Police also have the teen’s accomplice, Rayvon Roscoe Smith, 18, in custody.

Garner worked as a custodian at Michigan Light Guard Armory. She is survived by her son and a 15-year-old daughter.